AN illegal alcohol factory, producing
potentially toxic vodka, has been found in an industrial unit in Aintree. HM
Revenue and Customs (HMRC) discovered the unit, on 19 July 2017, and is
warning the public and local retailers to beware of the potentially dangerous
fake vodka, which was labelled as:- 'No 01 Imperial Vodka Blue.'
The illicit bottling plant was dismantled and the alcohol, worth an estimated
₤45,000 in unpaid duty, was removed for further tests. During the operation HMRC officers seized:-

► A total of 1,965 litres of suspect alcohol was seized of which 965 litres was
in finished labelled bottles.

Angela McCalmon, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:-
"Anyone drinking this fake vodka could be risking their life. People
buying it may have thought they were getting a bargain, instead they've bought
alcohol that may put them in Hospital or worse.
Counterfeit alcohol puts people in danger and denies taxpayers of millions of
pounds in unpaid duty; money which should be spent on vital public services.
We have alerted other law enforcement agencies such as the Police, local trading
standards, and the Foods Standards Agency to stop this product reaching shop
shelves or into our communities. It is important that anyone with information
about this dangerous illegal trade urgently reports it to our Hotline on:- 0800
788 887."

There have been no arrests so far and investigations are ongoing.
HMRC is awaiting chemical analysis but similar seizures in the North West, in
2015, were found to contain anti freeze.

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